Like You Live in Zagreb

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Imagine your vacation break in a terrific European capital. Not to big but not to small. A place with no crowds, great sights, good food and friendly people. A place where you can sit down, order a drink and it won't matter if you are a local or not. So, we invite you to visit us in Zagreb and we will help you to feel like home and experience Zagreb like locals do.

On you first day, your personal ZagrebTours host will welcome you at the Zagreb Airport and transfer you to your accommodation. Depending on your arrival time, we can spend an evening in the city center to get some first impressions about Zagreb. You shouldn’t miss the street with all the bars and cafes – Tkalčićeva or to enjoy relaxing in the vibrant atmosphere close to Flower square. If you are maybe for a light night snack, definitely get one at Pingvin or Bonita sandwich bar.

DAY 2

Today we are going to explore Zagreb – the capital of Croatia, from the 11th century all the way to present days. We will star our journey meeting the Old lady of Zagreb – the Funicular and she will take us back in medieval times to hear the story about the beginning of Zagreb. We will find out how the things got started on two settlements and two hills, Gradec and Kaptol. We will reveal some of the best kept secrets of the noble families who lived in the Upper town and see who are the residents who live there today. In the Old part of the city we will see some of the best monuments in Zagreb: the Bell tower and the Priest’s tower, St. Mark’s and St. Catherine’s church, the first Gymnasium, Croatian parliament, the Stone gate, the Cathedral and much more.

As we had down towards the lower part of Zagreb – the Lower Town, we will stop at the Belly of Zagreb to get something for a lunch break. This is the famous open market just above the main square with fresh and homegrown fruit, vegetables and all sorts of products from all around Croatia. To do it all properly we will buy something form one of many bakeries, sit down in the café, order a cappuccino and enjoy.

After this cozy break, we will explore the Lower Town starting from the Zagreb main square which is named after the Man on the horse – governor Jelačić. We will take a walk along the famous Green Horseshoe and see why we often compare Zagreb with Vienna. This is definitely the green heart of the city and a remarkable combination of beautiful parks and squares. Starting with Zrinjevac and its hundred years old trees, continuing across the King Tomislav square, passing the Botanical garden and finishing by the great yellow building of National Theater.

In the evening we will recommend you some of the god places to have dinner and try some of the local specialties combined with a good wine or a local beer.

DAY 3

This is a day when you choose what would like to do. You can join us on one of our great day trips from Zagreb. Our city is surrounded with many great natural or historical monuments. You can explore the true beauty of the nature by visiting the Plitvice lakes and Rastoke or you can follow the footsteps of knights, nobles and peasants in Croatian Zagorje. You can also discover the Trakošćan castle and baroque town Varaždin or you can spend a on the coast and visit Opatija and Rijeka.

If you decide to stay in Zagreb, we recommend you to go off the beaten tracks. Take a bus and visit one of the most beautiful cemeteries in Europe – Mirogoj, a real open air museum. Hop on the Blue tram and go to Maksimir – the biggest park in Zagreb and a green oasis just 15 minutes away from the city center. Try to find the Planets of the solar system spread around the city or visit one of many Zagreb museums.

Whatever you choose, you definitely won’t regret it.

DAY 4

Your visit has come to an end. We sincerely hope that you have enjoyed last couple of days. If you still have some time, visit some of the places you still haven’t or just go back on the places you like the best. Buy some souvenirs, take some more photos or sit down for your last cup of coffee or ice cream in Zagreb, before your ZagrebTours host drives you back to the Airport. We are sure that you will keep us as a great memory and who knows; maybe you will come again sometime…

Zagreb has a rich cultural heritage dating from prehistoric ages. The very first findings of human habitants in the area date all the way to the Stone Age, around 35000 B.C. Zagreb arise from two settlements Gradec i Kaptol. Kaptol developed as a spiritual centre, where clergymen were given land to live on, and where they built curies. Somewhat later than the Kaptol settlement, the settlement called Gradec was established on the west side of the Medvescak creek. In 1242 king Bela IV, in order to thank for the shelter and to strengthen the country's defense, gave the habitants of Gradec the Golden Bull. The Golden Bull was the privilege which excludes Gradec from the governor's rule and obliges them only to army duty for the king. Simultaneously, under the influence of the Cistercians, restoration and fortification of Kaptol commenced. The city of Zagreb, with its cultural and historical legacy and significance, is one of the most vital cities in Europe.

At the site of a smaller church, in the 12th century the great Romanesque cathedral was build but it was destroyed by Tatari in 13th century. From the second half of the 15th century to the first quarter of the 16th century the walls and towers were built around the cathedral as defense against the Turks. In the 19th century at the time of Bishop George Haulik the shrine and a new neo-Gothic wooden altar were ordered. Walcker, an organ builder, created a new organ which is still located in the cathedral choir and is among ten most important in the world. In 1880 Zagreb has suffered from earthquakes which damaged the cathedral. The restoration plans were drafted by the Viennese architect Friedrich Schmidt, and the restoration was conducted by the architect Hermann Bolle. In the cathedral are buried remains of the Croatian Zrinskoga Peter and Fran Krsto Frankopan.

Zagreb Funicular, with only 66 meters long railroad is the shortest funicular in the world for public transport. Construction began in the late 19th century and all to 1934 it was riding on the steam engine. Today, the funicular rides on electric power, connects the Upper and Lower part of the city of Zagreb and is the protected monument.

Dolac is the largest and most famous market in Zagreb opened the 1930th at the place of old walls and after it was decided that the old market Harmica move from the place of today's Ban Josip Jelacic Square. Market is located between the Ban Josip Jelacic Square, Capitol, and the Upper Town. Vivid colors and fragrances of fresh fruit and vegetables is something that should not be missed.